Celebrity news round up

FORMER Baby Spice Emma Bunton is rather busy at the moment – apart from being seen twirling across our screens on a Saturday night, she’s got a new album out next week and she’s just moved in with long-term boyfriend Jade Jones.

Twists and turns on the dancefloorFORMER Baby Spice Emma Bunton is rather busy at the moment – apart from being seen twirling across our screens on a Saturday night, she’s got a new album out next week and she’s just moved in with long-term boyfriend Jade Jones.

But he isn’t fazed by all the sexy clinches and hot moves she’s performing with partner Darren Bennett.

“Oh no, he’s not jealous at all. Darren is married to Lilia on the show, and Jade’s come down to a few practices, along with Lilia,” she smiles.

“We both wanted to take up the tango after watching Strictly last year, and I tried to find a tango teacher to teach us. So before I even got asked to do the show, we were already really keen to take up some sort of dancing – we just didn’t get round to it.

“Now whenever I get home, Jade’s always asking me what I’ve learnt today. I always say that I’m too tired but he wants me to show him. So I’ve been teaching him little bits and he loves it.”

Emma has a hectic schedule at present – most of her week is spent practising dance moves for the live Saturday show, inbetween promoting her new album and single.

“People said to me at the beginning ‘if you do Strictly Come Dancing, it’s going to be hard work’. But I didn’t think it would be this hard.

“But the main thing is, I am loving it. Even Jade knows I’m usually terrible in the mornings and can’t get up, but these days, I’m jumping out of bed.

“I think it’s because I’m loving every second of it. And when I love something, it’s easy to get into it.”

Emma, one of the favourites to win the show, decided to take part in the dancing competition because she fancied a challenge.

“At the beginning of the year, I turned 30 and said to myself ‘I’m going to give myself challenges this year’. I’m not a trained dancer by any means,” she says.

“I’d be quite shocked if I won,” she adds. “I’m just taking each day as it comes.

“We’ve got to learn a new dance every week, so I’m not thinking that far ahead – even though Darren probably is!”

* NOW SHOWING: Catch Emma on BBC1 Saturday in Strictly Come Dancing while her new album Life In Mono, is out on Monday December 4.

Friction factor for Keira and RupertLooks like love’s young dream, Keira Knightley and Rupert Friend, might have hit a rocky patch.

Sources close to the couple say their 10-month relationship is dogged by rows, according to The Mirror. Pride and Prejudice hunk Rupert who played the scoundrel George Wickham, has reportedly told pals he feels like the “fifth element”, saying she puts family, friends, work and “everything else” before him.

A friend said: “Keira’s a really loving girlfriend but she’s so insanely busy with work it’s untrue.

“She’s done everything in her power to make Rupert feel important but he still complains that he doesn’t get enough attention, and it’s causing real friction.”

* NOW SHOWING: Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean 2, out now on DVD

Noel: 'I didn't want my to lose my teeth'NOEL GALLAGHER has confessed he didn’t quit drugs for health reasons – he was scared of losing all his gnashers.

The Oasis star admitted he enjoyed his rock and roll lifestyle and getting “out of it” but was worried it would start to affect his appearance.

“My teeth were falling out and all sorts,” he told Michael Parkinson. “Nobody wants to look like a weirdo, you know what I mean?

“I don’t want it to sound like ‘my drugs hell’ as it wasn't hell, it was fantastic and I had some of the most monumental nights ever.”

Perhaps not the best advocate for anti-drugs then, Noel!

* out now: Oasis compilation CD Stop the Clocks

Claire's busy sidesteppingShe may be a Bad Girl but Claire King has put rumours of a romance with Strictly partner Brendan Cole firmly to bed.

The couple who waltzed off the Strictly Come Dancing show on Saturday were spotted enjoying an intimate dinner last week. But Claire insists she is committed to her boyfriend and shared her less than favourable impressions of womaniser Brendan.

“Me and Brendan got off to a bad start from day one when he said he wanted to be partnered with Emma Bunton or Carol Smillie,” she said. “As for there being anything physical between us, please – I could have eaten him for breakfast but I’d rather eat cold toast.”

* NOW SHOWING: Strictly, as before, but without the fiery Claire and Brendan